Clarinda sophomore Audrey Gray throws a pitch Tuesday, June 16, during a home loss to Atlantic. Gray threw 1 1/3 innings of relief in the loss.
Clarinda sophomore Audrey Gray throws a pitch Tuesday, June 16, during a home loss to Atlantic. Gray threw 1 1/3 innings of relief in the loss.
There were several athletes that enjoyed lots of success during the spring sports season.
The track saw several state medals and a state trophy. On the golf course there were team and individual state qualifiers and three individual state medalists. There was a team state qualifier and five individual state qualifiers, including a medalist, on the tennis court.
Shenandoah and Clarinda lead the way with eight athletes each on the Spring Sports All-Area Team, which is released here.
For the eighth spring season, the Southwest Iowa Herald releases an all-area team that spans all school-sanctioned, in-season sports. The Spring All-Area Team is made up of 20 athletes, 10 boys and 10 girls, evenly split between a first and second team. The All-Area team is comprised of golf, tennis and track and field athletes and all Clarinda, Essex, Shenandoah and Sidney athletes are eligible. At least one boy and one girl are required from each school.
The Spring All-Area Team, along with the fall and winter teams, are unusual because golfers are compared with track and field athletes and tennis players to make up a single team. The Spring Team looks a little different this year, like the most recent Fall Team, because of the move of girls tennis from the spring to the fall. So, this year, there were more boys teams and athletes to pick from on the spring team after there were more girls to pick from in the fall.
There were more than 60 athletes considered for the spring team with the boys making up more than 60 percent of that number. With all the team and individual success this spring, there were several athletes who enjoyed quite a bit of success that weren’t included. The few that were closest are mentioned.
The tennis, golf and track and field seasons were recapped over the past few weeks. Like in the winter and fall, this isn’t the end of the spring sports awards, as we’ll crown the top male and female athlete from the spring season over the next two weeks.
Shenandoah and Clarinda lead the way with eight all-area selections each. Shenandoah has five first team selections and Clarinda four. Sidney and Essex both received two selections with one Sidney athlete earning first team recognition.
Half of the 20 athletes on the all-area team were also selected to last year’s spring all-area team, including three that made a third spring all-area appearance. Only three of the 20 were selected to either the fall or winter all-area team
Seven of the 20 all-area athletes are first-time selections to a seasonal all-area team.
The senior class led the way this spring with nine selections, three on the first team. The juniors and sophomores also had three first team picks each with six total sophomores and four total juniors selected. One freshman received first team recognition.
The full team is below, starting with the first team selections, listed alphabetically.
Southwest Iowa Herald Spring Sports All-Area First Team
Ellery Bird, Freshman, Clarinda Track and Field
Clarinda freshman Ellery Bird brings the baton onto the backstretch Friday, May 22, in the 4x400-meter relay at the State Track and Field Championships. Bird is a first team spring all-area selection for the first time.
The first athlete recognized on this spring’s all-area team is the only freshman who earned a place on the team. Bird burst on the scene this spring in a big way and ended her fantastic season with four medals at the state track and field meet. She anchored Clarinda’s 4x100, 4x400 and 800 medley relay teams at the state meet and earned a high jump medal. She earned three individual top three finishes in the 200, 400 and high jump at the Hawkeye 10 Conference meet. She was also a Drake Relays qualifier in the 100-meter dash. Older brother Creighton nearly made the all-area team after leading the Cardinal boys tennis team all season. This is Ellery Bird’s first seasonal all-area appearance.
Teagan Brunk, Senior, Shenandoah Tennis
Shenandoah senior Teagan Brunk plays the forehand during a win Monday, May 4, at No. 1 singles. Brunk earns his first seasonal all-area selection.
Brunk is the first Shenandoah athlete recognized on the spring all-area team after leading the Mustangs to their first team state tennis appearance since 1995. Brunk broke the school record for match wins over his career, one that ended with him playing No. 1 singles all season for the Mustangs. He and Lucas Sun, who nearly joined him on the All-Area Team, qualified for the state doubles tournament for the second straight season. They fell one win short of a state medal. Brunk makes his first appearance on a seasonal all-area team.
Luke Daoust, Junior, Shenandoah Tennis
Shenandoah junior Luke Daoust earned his first state singles tennis appearance, winning the singles bracket Saturday, May 16, at the Class 1A District Tennis Tournament in Red Oak. Daoust is a spring sports all-area selection for the second time after earning second team honors last season.
Daoust is the second member of Shenandoah boys tennis’ state qualifying team to earn all-area recognition. Daoust played at No. 2 singles most of the season for Shenandoah and earned a state tournament berth and medal, finishing eighth at the state singles tournament. Daoust and the Mustangs swept each of their dual opponents this season before losing in a state quarterfinal. The state berth was the program’s first in 31 years. Daoust moves up after being a second team spring selection last year.
Alyssa Dowling, Sophomore, Sidney Golf
Sidney sophomore Alyssa Dowling plays a chip shot onto the green Friday, April 17, at the Shenandoah Tournament. Dowling earned her first state tournament berth this season and her first selection to a seasonal all-area team.
Dowling is the Sidney girls representative on the spring all-area team after earning her first state tournament appearance. She finished 23rd at the Class 1A State Tournament after taking third at the regional final and winning the regional first round and Corner Conference Tournament championships. She led the Cowgirls to their sixth straight conference tournament title and led the team into a regional final. Dowling earns her first selection to a seasonal all-area team.
Jac Fine, Sophomore, Clarinda Golf
Clarinda sophomore Jac Fine watches his ball fly toward the first green Monday, May 18, at the Class 2A District Tournament in Shenandoah. Fine was the tournament's runner-up and was great all season leading the Cardinals to the state tournament and earning his second straight selection to the spring all-area team.
Fine was the leader of Clarinda’s state tournament golf team for much of the season. He was the individual runner-up at the district tournament, leading the Cardinals to a district championship. He ended 31st at the state tournament, leading the Cardinals to the state tournament for the first time in nine years, where they finished ninth. Fine was also in the top five at their home sectional tournament, which the Cardinals also won. He finished eighth at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Tournament. Fine was a second team pick last spring.
JJ Martin, Junior, Shenandoah Golf
This short chip shot from Shenandoah junior JJ Martin found the bottom of the cup to start a string of three straight birdies to start his round Monday, May 18, at the Class 2A District Tournament in Shenandoah. Martin won the district title and earned a second straight spring all-area selection.
The run of golfers continues with our first from Shenandoah as Martin had a fantastic finish to the season, ending with a fifth-place tally at the state tournament. He won the district tournament and led the Mustangs to their first state tournament appearance in nine years with a third-place team finish at the district tournament. Martin and the Mustangs won the sectional tournament championship. Martin makes his second straight spring all-area team after earning second team honors last year.
Sarah Pickens, Junior, Shenandoah Golf
Shenandoah junior Sarah Pickens chips onto the green Friday, April 17, at the Shenandoah Tournament. Pickens is a first team spring all-area selection for the third straight year.
Pickens finished seventh at the regional final tournament, just missing a repeat appearance in the state field. She finished fourth at the regional first round tournament to qualify for the regional final and took third at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Tournament, leading the Fillies to runner-up conference honors. She teamed up with Martin for a state medal at the co-ed tournament. This is the third straight year Pickens is a first team spring all-area selection.
Taylor Rasmussen, Senior, Clarinda Golf
Clarinda senior Taylor Rasmussen drives on hole No. 9 Friday, April 17, at the Shenandoah Tournament. Rasmussen earned a state medal to wrap up her high school career and earned first team spring all-area honors for the second straight year.
Rasmussen finished her high school golf career with a medal at the state tournament. Rasmussen was the 10th best finisher at the state meet over two days, to claim the final medal. She won a slew of medals over the course of her career and was a two-time state tournament qualifier. Rasmussen won the regional final and finished second at the regional first round tournament, helping lead the Cardinals to a berth in the regional final. She was second at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Tournament. Rasmussen is a first team spring all-area selection for the second straight year. This is her third time being selected to the spring team.
Titus Steng, Senior, Shenandoah Track and Field
Shenandoah senior Titus Steng takes the early lead Friday, May 22, in the 800-meter wheelchair at the State Track and Field Championships. Steng won the 800 and his other three races to win four state championships at the state meet. Steng earned first team spring all-area honors for the second straight year.
Steng finished his high school track and field career in grand fashion with four state championships. He won the 100, 200, 400 and 800-meter wheelchair events at the state meet to end his career not only with the individual titles, but also to give the Mustangs the state team title in the Para division. Steng also won the Drake Relays title in the 400. He wraps up his career a seven-time state champion. Steng was also a first team selection last year.
Addy Weinreich, Sophomore, Clarinda Golf
Clarinda sophomore Addy Weinreich chips from just off the green on hole No. 8 Friday, April 17, at the Shenandoah Tournament. Weinreich ended the day with third lowest score in the field, an 83.
Weinreich is the second member of the Clarinda girls golf team to earn a place on the spring all-area team. She finished 18th at the state tournament in her second state appearance. She won the first round regional tournament, leading the Cardinals to qualify for the regional final, a tournament where she finished runner-up to her teammate. She took seventh at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Tournament. Weinreich moves up after earning second team spring all-area honors last year.
Second Team
Alaina Anderson, Sophomore, Shenandoah Golf
Shenandoah sophomore Alaina Anderson putts the ball on Hole No. 1 Friday, May 15, at the Class 2A Regional First Round Golf Tournament in Shenandoah. Anderson qualified for the regional final helping her earn her first seasonal all-area selection.
Anderson is the second Shenandoah girls golfer to earn all-area honors after qualifying individually for a regional final with a sixth-place finish at the first round regional tournament. She finished fifth at the Hawkeye 10 Conference Tournament, helping lead the Fillies to a runner-up team finish. This is the first time Anderson has been selected to a seasonal all-area team.
Susie Babe, Sophomore, Shenandoah Track and Field
Shenandoah sophomore Susie Babe competes in the 800-meter run Saturday, May 23, Track at the State Track and Field Championships. This was Babe's first run at state and her first seasonal all-area selection.
Like she was at the state meet, Babe is the Shenandoah girls track and field representative on the spring all-area team. She was a state qualifier in the 800-meter run, thanks to a runner-up finish in the race at the state qualifying meet. She finished 22nd at the state meet in a personal best time. She ran sprint and distance relays for the Fillies this season. Teammate Ava O’Rourke was one of the top girls not to earn a spot on the all-area team. This is Babe’s first time on a seasonal all-area team.
Gabe Casey, Senior, Sidney Golf
Sidney senior Gabe Casey putts on hole No. 8 Tuesday, April 14 at the Shenandoah Tournament. Casey joined Sidney golf for the first time, qualified for the district tournament and earned his first seasonal all-area selection.
Casey joined the Sidney boys golf team for the first time this season and was quite the addition, leading the Cowboys in most of their events. He was a district tournament qualifier after finishing fourth at the sectional tournament. He then finished 42nd at the district tournament. He finished fourth at the Corner Conference Tournament. Casey earns his first seasonal all-area selection.
Cole Graham, Senior, Shenandoah Track and Field
Shenandoah senior Cole Graham motors down the back stretch during the 400-meter run Thursday, May 21, at the State Track and Field Championships. Graham finished 10th and earned his second straight spring sports all-area selection.
Graham ended his fantastic career on the track with a state medal, anchoring the 800-meter medley relay to a sixth-place finish. He qualified for the state meet in four events, three relays and the 400-meter dash where he finished 10th. He won the 400 and anchored the winning 800 medley at the Hawkeye 10 Conference meet. Teammates Gabe Buttry and Simon Hennings nearly joined Graham on the all-area team. Graham is a second team spring all-area selection for the second straight year.
Kylie Meier, Senior, Clarinda Track and Field
Clarinda senior Kylie Meier runs the backstretch in the 4x400-meter relay Friday, May 22, at the State Track and Field Championships. Meier earned her third straight spring all-area selection.
Meier is the second member of the Clarinda’s sprint relay team to earn an all-area selection. She was part of the state-medal winning 4x100, 4x400 and 800-meter medley relays. She also qualified for the state meet and the Drake Relays in the long jump. She ends her career as a three-time state qualifier in the long jump. Meier earns her third straight spring all-area selection, all as a second team pick.
Kort Neal, Senior, Clarinda Golf
Clarinda senior Kort Neal chips the ball onto the eighth green Friday, April 24, during a home loss to Atlantic.
Neal is the second member of Clarinda’s state tournament boys golf team to make an appearance on the spring all-area team. He ended his career with a couple of his better rounds of his career, to finish sixth at the state tournament, earning a state medal. Neal ended eighth at the district tournament, helping the Cardinals earn their first state tournament berth since 2017. Neal was third at the sectional tournament and 11th at the conference tournament. Neal earns his second seasonal all-area selection, first for golf.
Kaiden Roop, Senior, Clarinda Track and Field
Clarinda senior Kaiden Roop competes in the long jump Thursday, May 21, at the State Track and Field Championships. Roop finished his career at the state meet and earned his first seasonal all-area selection.
Roop is the Clarinda boys track and field representative on the spring all-area team after a fantastic season, qualifying for the state meet in three events. An injury the week between the state qualifying meet and state meet limited him to the long jump at the state meet, a tough finish to his stellar career. Roop was part of two sprint relays that broke a school record and a conference meet record at the Hawkeye 10 Conference meet. He was also part of the 4x100 team that qualified for the Drake Relays. Teammate Cohen Phillips was one of the last cuts from the all-area team. Roop is on a seasonal all-area team for the first time.
Ella Sandahl, Junior, Essex Track and Field
Essex junior Ella Sandahl runs the anchor leg on the Trojanettes' winning 4x800-meter relay Tuesday, May 4, at the Corner Conference meet in Bedford.
Sandahl is the Essex girls representative on the spring all-are team after another fantastic season leading the Trojanettes. She wasn’t quite fast enough to qualify for a second state appearance after finishing second in the 3,000 and fourth in the 1,500 at the state qualifying meet. Sandahl won two Corner Conference meet championships, in the 3,000 and as part of the winning 4x800-meter relay. Teammate Piper Maher nearly joined Sandahl on the all-area team. Sandahl was also a second team selection last spring and was also a second team pick in the fall.
Isaiah Sholes, Senior, Essex Track and Field
Essex senior Isaiah Sholes competes in the high jump Friday, May 22, during the second day of the State Track and Field Championships. Sholes cleared 5 feet, 11 inches, to tie for 15th. He earned his second straight spring all-area selection.
Sholes is the Essex boys representative on the spring all-area team after earning a second state meet appearance in the high jump. Sholes finished second at the state qualifying meet but his clearance of 6 feet, 2 inches, was plenty high enough to earn the state bid. He also won the Corner Conference meet title in the event. He was a big part of Essex’s sprint relays this season. Sholes earns his second straight spring all-area selection. He was also a first team pick in the winter.
Miley Wagoner, Sophomore, Clarinda Track and Field
Clarinda sophomore Miley Wagoner rounds the track Thursday, May 21, in the 200-meter dash at the State Track and Field Championships. Wagoner is a spring all-area team selection for the first time and a seasonal pick for the second time.
The all-area team started with a member of the Clarinda girls track and field team and ends with one as well as Wagoner starred in four events at the state meet, taking home three state relay medals in the 4x100, 4x400 and 800-medley relays. Wagoner also qualified for the state meet in the 200-meter dash and broke her personal best in that event on the Blue Oval. Teammates Alexa Barnes and Stevie Wilmes just missed a spot on the all-area team. Wagoner was also a first team selection in the fall.
Congratulations to all 20 athletes. The Spring Sports Male and Female Athlete of the Year, which are both first team all-area selections, will be unveiled over the next two weeks.
Clarinda’s relay medalists and Karson Johnson on Day 3 of State Track
Shenandoah senior Eli Cameron prepares for a ball at third base Friday, June 12, during a win over Clarinda. Cameron had the walk-off hit in the seventh.
Shenandoah senior Eli Cameron prepares for a ball at third base Friday, June 12, during a win over Clarinda. Cameron had the walk-off hit in the seventh.
